beat mark Howls of Joy (CD, £10.50)

label: Ample Play

‘Sexy & dirty, melodic & gloriously messy at the same time’ Les Inrocks. ‘Saturated garage guitar pop, lo-fi psychedelism sung in English…it’s simple, it’s beautiful, it’s dignified & sober’ Rock & Folk Magazine Beat Mark are one of a few French bands to strike with the noisy pop spirit of contemporary U.S. music (from MGMT to Dum Dum Girls), who don't hide their mid-80s to mid-90s English influences. Their sound has been described as nuggets of The Vaselines, and The Television Personalities with a few drops of The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Stone Roses and Primal Scream. Some have even evoked My Bloody Valentine. Whatever, the mix, the 2 boys and 2 girls of Beat Mark from Paris have created a full-length album that has a raw and instantly refreshing new sound. Who would have thought the French could be so chic hot. Album Track listing: 1. What I Want The Most 2. Breeezing! 3. Son Thomas Hunter 4. Saw A Cold Mirror 5. Purple Glow 6. People Of Your Kind 7. Love At First Sight 8. Am I Five 9. Electric 10. Howls Of Joy 11. When The Trees Fall 12. Cool Fur 13. Odd Machine